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First flown in late 1938, the Boeing 307 was the first airliner with a pressurized fuselage. It could carry 33 passengers in great comfort and cruise at 6,096 meters (20,000 feet), while maintaining a cabin pressure of 2,438 meters (8,000 feet). This enabled the Stratoliner to fly above most bad weather, thereby providing a faster and smoother ride.

The Stratoliner incorporated the wings, tail, and engines of the Boeing B-17C bomber. The wide fuselage was fitted with sleeper berths and reclining seats. Ten Stratoliners were built. The prototype was lost in an accident, but five were delivered to TWA and three were purchased by Pan American Airways. TWA owner Howard Hughes purchased a heavily modified version for his personal use. The airplane displayed here was flown by Pan American as the Clipper Flying Cloud. Boeing restored it in 2001.

Long Description

First flown in late 1938, the Boeing 307 was the first airliner with a pressurized fuselage. It could carry 33 passengers in great comfort and cruise at 6,096 meters (20,000 feet), while maintaining a cabin pressure of 2,438 meters (8,000 feet). This enabled the Stratoliner to fly above most bad weather, thereby providing a faster and smoother ride.

The Stratoliner incorporated the wings, tail, and engines of the Boeing B-17C bomber. The wide fuselage was fitted with sleeper berths and reclining seats. Ten Stratoliners were built. The prototype was lost in an accident, but five were delivered to TWA and three were purchased by Pan American Airways. TWA owner Howard Hughes purchased a heavily modified version for his personal use. The airplane displayed here was flown by Pan American as the Clipper Flying Cloud. Boeing restored it in 2001.

Display Status

This object is on display in Sport Aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Sport Aviation
Panoramas
Object Details
Date 1938 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Aircraft Manufacturer Boeing Aircraft Co.
Dimensions Wingspan: 32.7 m (107 ft 3 in)
Length: 22.7 m (74 ft 4 in)
Height: 6.3 m (20 ft 9 in)
Weight, empty: 13,749 kg (30,310 lb)
Weight, gross: 19,051 kg (42,000 lb)
Top speed: 396 km/h (246 mph)
Inventory Number A19730267000 Credit Line Donated by Aviation Specialties Incorporated Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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